A DEVOTED son is calling for changes to the law after a two-year fight for justice for his father.

He said it is 'a disgrace' that families of victims of asbestos-related illnesses must take legal action to get compensation.

Solicitors have issued a writ with the High Court on behalf of the Barnton man and his family claiming his 72-year-old father developed malignant mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the tissues surrounding his lungs, through his work with ICI at Winnington as a blacksmith and welder.

It alleges he was exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibres when he repaired pipework and boilers lagged with asbestos.

The family - including the victim's 75-year-old widow - are seeking damages from ICI's insurers. But though they started legal proceedings in 2005, shortly after his death, they have so far only received an interim payment.

The son, who did not want to be named, said: 'It is unethical that a widow is still waiting for compensation two years down the line.

'My axe to grind is with the distress that dragging this out is causing to the family because of the legal wrangling and the bureaucracy.

'No amount of money can compensation for the loss of a loved one but ICI has a duty of care to my dad and, at the end of the day, the Government should intervene and force corporations to pay up within a reasonable length of time - not two years.

'I have been able to deal with the paperwork on behalf of my mother - I have a desk draw full of letters - but for a widow living on her own it would be an absolute nightmare.'

He added: 'It's a very unpleasant death. There are many types of mesothelioma, my dad's was like a massive tumour around his lung which flattened it.'

The family's solicitors, Hanley-based Thompsons, said a new fast track system can now get financial help in the form of interim payments to families earlier, which could help other victims while they are still alive.

Janet Finney, asbestos litigation solicitor, said: 'Though families have historically faced long battles for compensation, this is no longer the case. Procedures are now in place under a High Court Judge who has implemented a fast-track system specific to these cases.

'It guarantees an early interim payment to mesothelioma victims to help provide for care and aids which they may need and so improve their quality of life, providing holidays and so on whilst claimants are still in good health.'

The Barnton family's case will be heard next month and should be settled by June, she said.